Geeta Phogat Encourages Indian Wrestlers Ahead of 2028 Olympics

Geeta Phogat Supports Wrestlers for Olympic Success

Geeta Phogat has expressed her support for the Indian wrestling team, predicting they will secure 'more medals' at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics following their impressive performance at the 2026 Asian Wrestling Championships. She is optimistic that the athletes' advancements will translate into medal wins at the prestigious event in 2028.

During her attendance at the 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle with Women' event in New Delhi, Phogat stated, 'Given the progress our athletes are making, I am confident we will achieve more medals in wrestling at the upcoming Olympics.' She highlighted the gold medals earned by Sujeet Kalkal in the men's 65kg and Abhimanyou Mandwal in the men's 70kg categories at the recent championships.

Phogat also congratulated the entire Indian wrestling team for their achievements at the Asian Championships, saying, 'I want to commend the Indian contingent for their remarkable performance at the Asian Wrestling Championships.'

India concluded its campaign at the 2026 Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on April 12, securing a total of 17 medals: two gold, six silver, and nine bronze. In addition to the gold medals by Lalit Sehrawat and Nitesh Siwach, Aman Sehrawat (men's 61kg), Mukul Dahiya (men's 86kg), and Meenakshi Goyat (women's 53kg) were runners-up in their respective categories.

Athletes Commend Fit India Movement

Phogat praised initiatives like the Fit India Movement and Khelo India, noting that events such as 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' enhance public fitness awareness, promote participation across cities, and convey a positive message, particularly for women. She remarked, 'The initiatives like 'Fit India' and 'Khelo India', initiated by PM Narendra Modi, have significantly raised fitness awareness among the populace. Events held every Sunday in major cities encourage widespread participation, which is especially beneficial for women.'

Saweety Boora on Women's Fitness and Olympic Aspirations

Arjuna awardee and professional boxer Saweety Boora also expressed her delight at the increasing number of women participating in the 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' event, noting a marked rise in fitness awareness and enthusiasm. She emphasized how evolving societal attitudes, along with social media and such initiatives, are inspiring women to prioritize their health and challenge traditional constraints. 'It was wonderful to see women stepping forward like this. When I first attended the Fit India Cycling event, there wasn't such enthusiasm. Now, the crowd is growing, especially among women. Witnessing this passion for fitness among women is heartening. In the past, women were often restricted to their homes, and after becoming mothers, they were told that their lives were set. Now, with social media and organized programs, they are motivated to change,' Boora stated.

Discussing her current objectives, Boora mentioned that her primary focus is on preparing for the LA Olympics, expressing a strong desire to win a gold medal for India. 'My main preparations are for the Olympics. I aim to secure a gold medal for my country. While I have achieved other accolades, an Olympic medal remains elusive,' she added.

SAI Highlights Fit India Movement's Impact

Mayank Srivastav, Deputy Director General of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), spoke about the 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' initiative, stating that the Fit India Movement, launched in 2019, aims to foster mass participation in fitness activities. He noted that the 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' initiative was held at approximately 1,000 locations nationwide, with significant female participation, promoting the idea that fitness is essential, enjoyable, and achievable through simple activities like yoga, Zumba, and skipping. 'Fit India is fundamentally a movement initiated by the Prime Minister. Since 2019, we have aimed to involve more people. This event, 'Sundays on Cycle with women', was conducted at over 1,000 locations across the country, with women participating at all these sites. We want to emphasize that their fitness is paramount. A healthy woman leads to a healthy family. We also want to convey that fitness can be fun, not a chore. You can maintain health through Zumba, skipping, and yoga,' he explained.

For those unfamiliar, Fit India Sundays on Cycle is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) in collaboration with various organizations, including the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), Indian Rope Skipping Federation, Yogasana Bharat, Raahgiri Foundation, MY Bikes, and MY Bharat. The cycling initiative is conducted simultaneously across all States and Union Territories, including SAI Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), SAI Training Centres (STCs), Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs), and Khelo India Centres (KICs).

Launched in December 2024 by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, Fit India Sundays on Cycle has evolved into a significant public movement, with over 28 lakh citizens participating across more than 2.63 lakh locations nationwide since its inception.